While injuries have hit the Cavaliers hard to start the season — Darius Garland, Sam Merrill and Jarrett Allen have missed significant time, while Max Strus has yet to play — Evan Mobley has been a rock this season.
Until now, Mobley strained his calf against the Wizards on Friday night and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, the team announced.
Mobley is averaging 19.1 points and 9.3 rebounds a game this season, shooting 35.2% from 3-point range. While those counting stats are close to what Mobley did a season ago, he has been less efficient getting there, with a 57.6 true shooting percentage (close to the league average), well off the 63.3 he had last season (and a concern because the Cavaliers needed him to take a step forward. More concerning is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year not being there to protect the rim for a few weeks — the Cavaliers' defense is 2.9 points per 100 possessions worse when Mobley is off the court. The good news is the Cavaliers should get center Jarrett Allen back.
Mobley has missed just one game so far this season, but if he is out for a month, he will be in danger of not playing 65 games, making him ineligible to defend his title or, once again, make the All-NBA team.
One of the three players the Vancouver Canucks received in the Quinn Hughes trade was winger Liam Öhgren. The 21-year-old is from Sweden and has already played 46 games in the NHL. Listed at 6'0", 187 lbs, Öhgren was drafted 19th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2022.
Öhgren's name should sound familiar to Canucks fans as he spent his pre-NHL career in Sweden playing alongside Jonathan Lekkerimäki. The two played for Djurgårdens IF and were often on a line together both for their club and when selected to play internationally for Sweden. It is clear that these two have some chemistry, which could help Lekkerimäki and Öhgren get more settled in the NHL.
Here is what The Hockey News' 2023 Draft Preview edition said about Öhgren. In the edition, he was ranked 20th overall. As for his best-case comparable, that was Filip Forsberg.
"The Captain of Sweden’s world under-18 team, Ohgren was a solid contributor for the gold-winning side, especially in the final when he had two goals and three points in the 6-4 win over Team USA. But the template for success was set earlier, as Ohgren ripped up the Swedish junior ranks. “He’s well-built and has a heavy release,” said one scout. “He has a shoot-first mentality, but he can also make plays. More of an up-and-down winger with compete level and skill.”
Ohgren spent half the year up in the SHL, and while he didn’t post numbers, that experience is good for a teenager. Unfortunately, Djurgarden was relegated, so his next action with the team would be in the second-tier Allsvenskan. Nonetheless, he has a great skill package.
The only question is what his ceiling will be. “He’s strong and well along the way (in his development),” said another scout. “Well built, strong skater, easy to project, and he’s got unbelievable numbers in junior. It just depends on whether people think it will translate. Is he a point producer or more of a hardworking, up-and-down winger on projection? I mean, he’s been a goal-per-gamer.”
Öhgren is known for his heavy shot. He isn't afraid to get pucks on net, which is evident by his 40 shot attempts in 18 games this year. Where Öhgren's shot comes in handy is on rush attempts, as he can drive pucks on net and create rebounds off the wing.
Öhgren is also a player who uses his speed to get in on the forecheck and throw hits on defenders. He has 29 hits this year and, as per the NHL stats page, is averaging 10.13 per 60 minutes played. At this point, he is still learning how to be an impactful player at the NHL level, but that is not uncommon for prospects of his age.
This season has not gone the way Öhgren had planned. He doesn't have a point in his first 18 games and is averaging just 9:32 of ice time. That being said, his game has started to trend upwards over the last two games, as he had 13 shot attempts for the Wild.
If Vancouver can develop Öhgren correctly, they may have just added a key part of their top-six for the foreseeable future. He is an intriguing prospect who has the potential to contribute both at even strength and on the power play. Ultimately, it was a savvy move to include him in the Hughes deal, as Öhgren could have a bright future ahead of him.
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Jaxon Kohler posted his fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds while Carson Cooper added 10 points for the Spartans (9-1, 2-0 Big Ten), who committed a season-high 17 turnovers and trailed for long stretches in both halves. They were able to bear down, however, and avoid a second-straight loss after falling to No. Duke on Monday.
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, sitting between teammates LeBron James, left, and Jake LaRavia, rarely has played in the last 10 games, but with Austin Reaves injured, the defensive specialist might be an option to join the rotation. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Perhaps Vanderbilt can return to the rotation to help the Lakers’ defensive woes while guard Austin Reaves is out for approximately a week because of a mild left calf strain.
And perhaps Vanderbilt and the Lakers can get some immediate results for shoring up their defensive shortcomings when they face the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.
The 6-foot-8 Vanderbilt is hopeful that his opportunity will come against the Suns and he turns that into a positive for the Lakers.
"Oh, yeah, I'm pretty eager,” he said after practice Saturday. “I mean, obviously, I think a lot of the stuff we lack, I think I can help provide on that end."
In the last 10 games, Vanderbilt had only a three-minute stint against the Philadelphia 76ers because Jake LaRavia took a shot to the face that loosened a tooth.
The return of LeBron James and Vanderbilt’s offensive deficiencies left him out of the rotation. During much of that time the Lakers were winning, which meant Vanderbilt spent time on the bench.
In 15 games, Vanderbilt is three for 10 (26.6%) from three-point range. He was asked how he has been handling things.
"Good,” Vanderbilt said. “Controlling what I can control. Keep showing up to work, doing my part, supporting the team."
Vanderbilt was asked if coach JJ Redick or any assistants have spoken to him about his role.
"Kind of here and there, I guess,” Vanderbilt said.
Vanderbilt was seen after practice Saturday working with an assistant coach on his shooting, just like he did after practice Friday and like he has done while not playing.
Redick said Reaves, who played against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, wasn’t sure when the calf became an issue, and “we’re obviously gonna be cautious with it.”
“It's a mild strain, Grade 1, and he'll be out for a week,” Redick said, adding, “I would venture to say every player is a little bit different, but players now are becoming more cautious — to use that word again — more cautious when they get those diagnosis with the calf. Everything looks clean. It's not in the deep part.”
The Lakers have looked at the last 10 games during the film sessions as a barometer for their defensive problems. But in reality, the Lakers have not been very good on defense all season while producing a 17-7 record because of their stellar offense.
"It's been a trending thing even when we was winning, so I think like you said, the defense still wasn't there, but we was just outscoring everybody,” Vanderbilt said. “So, I think obviously during the loss, it's an appropriate time to address certain things just so it won't keep lingering and get worse."
The Lakers are 18th in the NBA in points given up (116.8), 22nd in opponents' field-goal percentage (48.1%) and 27th in opponents' three-point shooting (38.2%).
They will face a Suns team that defeated them Dec. 1 at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers were unable to stop Collin Gillesipie, who had 28 points and was eight for 14 from three-point range, and Dillon Brooks, who had 33 points.
It hasn't gotten better in the ensuing days. The Spurs loss was the Lakers' third in the last five games.
"Nobody likes to go watch film after you get your ass kicked,” guard Marcus Smart said. “It's tough because the film never lies. And it exposed us a lot, which we already knew. We were just winning a lot of games. So it was mitigated that way, but it was straight to it: We have to be able to guard.
“The scouting report against us is we're not guarding people. And if we want to be great in this league and do what we're trying to do, you have to be able to guard, especially in the West. These guys are no joke, and they're coming. And especially [if] you got the Lakers across your jersey. They're definitely coming with everything they have. So you can't be expecting any surprises. And that's what it was. It wasn't no sugarcoating anything. It was, 'This is what we got to do.' We've been asked. Let's fix it.”
Ryan Conwell had 17 points and reserve Adrian Wooley scored 15 as he and Kasean Pryor alternated making six of Louisville's seven consecutive 3-pointers during a first-half surge that rocketed the No. 11 Cardinals past Memphis 99-73 on Saturday. The Cardinals (9-1) converted 18 of 35 attempts from long range, second to their 20 made 3s against NJIT on Nov. 26.
Real Madrid, who play on Sunday, now trail by seven points
Leverkusen’s Terrier hits back-heel volley against Cologne
Raphinha struck twice late in the second half as Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resolute Osasuna side, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. Hansi Flick’s men now sit on 43 points, comfortably clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and play at Alavés on Sunday.
Despite their control of the game, Barcelona struggled to break down Osasuna’s deep defensive block until the 70th minute when Pedri’s incisive pass cut through the visitors’ defence, finding Raphinha in his stride. The Brazilian forward took a controlled touch before unleashing a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, the ball arrowing inside the left post to finally break the deadlock. Raphinha sealed the win in the 86th minute. A deflected cross from Jules Koundé on the right found the Brazilian unmarked at the far post, and he calmly volleyed the ball into an empty net, giving the scoreline a more comfortable look.
Jaroslav Chmelar earned his position with the New York Rangers through hard work and exceptional play in the American Hockey League for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Despite not necessarily being on anybody’s radar to play for the Rangers going into the 2025-26 campaign, that quickly changed.
The 22-year-old forward was called up early in November by the Rangers, as Mike Sullivan said he was told that Chmelar was the Wolf Pack’s best player through the early stages of the season.
He played in two games before being sent down to the AHL, headlined by a fight in his NHL debut against Travis Hamonic.
Chmelar was recently called back up and has carved out a fourth-line role.
Chmelar’s rise to the NHL is a lesson that if you perform well at the AHL level, no matter how highly touted you may be, it’s always possible to earn a spot in the big leagues.
“It feels great. I try to put everything on the line every game, and to be rewarded for it feels amazing,” Chmelar said. “I don’t want to get it into my head that someone rewarded me for something. Just keep doing it consistently, that’s the key.”
While Chmelar hasn’t recorded any points through four games, his play has been noticeable and impactful.
Standing at 6-foot-4, the 2021 fifth-round pick plays a physical brand of hockey and is surprisingly quick for someone of his size.
It’s not about flash for Chmelar. It’s all about the basics and doing the little things right.
“I have felt pretty good out there,” Chmelar said of playing in the NHL. “I just need to stick to my game, the basics that I do, hit people. Be hard on the forecheck. As the game develops, they know I'm coming. That's what I want to do, take pucks to the net and be hard to play against.”
More importantly than just his game on the ice, Chmelar seems to bring a positive and joyous spirit to the Blueshirts. He’s always smiling in the locker room, and his wide-eyed, happy energy is infectious.
“He’s a great kid, first and foremost. He’s a really likable kid. I think his energy is so great,” Sullivan said of Chmelar in November.
It’s really a feel-good story to see someone work their way up from being drafted with the 144th overall pick to playing in the NHL.
Chmelar has enjoyed every moment of it and certainly does not take this opportunity for granted.
“It’s amazing. It’s everyone's goal to get up here,” Chmelar said. “Getting my first game and the couple of games afterwards, it feels amazing. I'm super pumped to be around these guys, to see how they perform in practice, how they think about the game, and trying to see like in the details, what they do, so I can pick up something. I want to learn from them and aspire to be like them.”
Xaivian Lee scored 24 points to lead No. Florida to an 80-70 victory over George Washington in the second game of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on Saturday. Lee scored a season high on 6-of-11 shooting, including making 4 of 8 from 3-point range.
Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane spent plenty of time at United Center, both for practices and games during his tenure with the club.
Not only did he raise the Stanley Cup for the third time in his career at the venue, but he also gave scores of Blackhawks fans countless memories from throughout the first part of his Hall of Fame career.
Kane, who spent a brief stint with the New York Rangers in 2023 after being dealt at the NHL trade deadline, is now in his second full season with the Detroit Red Wings.
Saturday evening will mark his third return to United Center with the Red Wings, the second of which was in November of last season as part of a 4-1 Detroit victory.
Following their morning skate on Saturday, Kane admitted that it's still a bit strange suiting up in the visiting dressing room at the venue he called home from late 2007 through early 2023.
"A little different, obviously," Kane said about the opposition dressing room. "I spent so much time here, usually you're walking past it to the Hawks locker room, and I never really saw this one until a few years ago. It's always fun to come back."
Perhaps the most notable moment of his time in Detroit came during his initial return to Chicago in February 2024, during which he was honored with a lengthy video tribute and a minutes-long standing ovation from the crowd, and then capped the night in classic Kane-like fashion by scoring a dramatic overtime game-winning goal on a breakaway.
Since then, Kane has agreed to one-year contract extensions to remain in Detroit, signing deals on June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
He is on the precipice of two major career milestones: he sits at 497 goals, just three shy of 500, and is only 10 points away from tying Mike Modano as the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history.
While Kane’s place as perhaps the greatest U.S.-born player in NHL history is already secure, another American-born player who could one day lay claim to the title of the greatest U.S.-born defenseman is Quinn Hughes.
Hughes was traded on Friday evening to the Minnesota Wild, ending speculation that he could land with Detroit given his multiple connections to the metro-Detroit area. Like the rest of his teammates, Kane had been following the progress of where Hughes would ultimately wind up.
"I think Quinn's a great player, he's one of the special players in the League that can take over a game individually, and there's only a handful of those," Kane said of Hughes. "You hear a lot of rumors, and the Red Wings were part of that, too. I was definitely following to see what was going to happen. He's a great kid and a great player, I'm sure he'll do well in Minnesota."
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Two Bukayo Saka crosses forced two own goals as Arsenal somehow found a way to win against committed Wolves
2 min: Doherty skittles Martinelli out on the left. An early free kick for Arsenal. Rice’s delivery is uncharacteristically poor, failing to beat the first man … and that first man is Doherty, who makes good his mistake by clearing.
Arsenal get the ball rolling. They haven’t lost at home yet this season, winning ten from 11. Godspeed, Wolves.
Kingston Flemings, Chris Cenac Jr., Chase McCarty and Mercy Miller each scored 15 points, and No. Houston won its fourth straight, 99-57 over New Orleans on Saturday. Flemings and Cenac, both freshmen, combined to shoot 11 of 19 from the field for Houston (10-1), which won its tenth straight at home and has won 22 straight nonconference home games.
